Go to college or a trade school and get a real job. Stop stealing jobs from kids. After all that is what those jobs are for!

If some of these workers are illegal immigrants, then they are entering into an illegal transaction and would be the most likely candidate(s) to remain silent. This should come as no surprise. The situation is frustrating because they do keep inflation in check, which becomes a benefit for the legal immigrants working in America. I can feel some empathy for them, as they are just like the rest of us -- trying to survive.

Makes me mad to know we live in one of the riches country in this world and so many peoples are poor.They are Americans!What happen to this country??We the people??ones there was a time we fought because we didn't want to be depressed like in the old country.Now this county is the same way.Greed and self fish gone ruin this country for the next generation to come!
In the old country..the Kings was making sure poor peoples have no education,then peoples
with out education don't complain and fight for there rights!We are the peoples! Americans..our history is written with the blood of our fathers who was fighting against these kings(tea party) who depress us.

MRPAPERBAG

if the workers are illegal aliens, what are they doing having a job in the first place? If they are illegal, send them back to where they came from. They are ILLEGAL!

If you are receiving a disability check, how are you able to work for $10/hr? If you have proved that you are able to work, shouldn't that stop the disability check?

I would like to see the actual numbers. It's easy to say '3 times likely' as whites but if its only 100 people in a particular urban area it may represent only one or two employers. There is always stress in employe-employer relationships and if workers don't know their rights they may not set their own bounderies!

As soon as illegal immigrant is mentioned, the argument is lost. Illegal immigrants should not be working, so the wages paid are illegal whatever they are.

I see first hand how people are living. These people should go to a Goodwill Store. They will teach you skills to find a better job. Where are the counselors and social workers helping these people to better themselves? They need help finding child care while they work. Also, I know employers right now who are exploiting their employees. They will do it as long as they can get by with it!

NOT EVERY ONE GOES TO COLLAGE!SOME PEOPLE HAVE PROBLEMS.MED/MENT,IT PREVENTS THEM GOING FURTHER THAN A POINT.BUT IF YOU READ ONCE IN A WHILE,SOMETHING OTHER THAN YOUR BANK STATEMENT.THESE PERSONS,FAMILYS COULD USE A HELPING HAND,NOT A STAB IN THE BACK!!

NOT EVERY ONE GOES TO COLLAGE!SOME PEOPLE HAVE PROBLEMS.MED/MENT,IT PREVENTS THEM GOING FURTHER THAN A POINT.BUT IF YOU READ ONCE IN A WHILE,SOMETHING OTHER THAN YOUR BANK STATEMENT.THESE PERSONS,FAMILYS COULD USE A HELPING HAND,NOT A STAB IN THE BACK!!

Paying wages less than what women and minorities should get is wrong, but companies unfortunately, in this economy across the board are lowering wages for everyone and benefits. My husband is white and recently laid off a good paying job. However, crying in beer is not the answer. Use that time to get trained for a better job. If you need a GED, get one. You can. Or a trade school is good training or college. Not everyone is cut out for it. I quit my job to return to get my last year as I know as a woman, I am underpaid most of the time. I have 2 trade schools and both professions, I had a medical condition that prevented me from continuing in that career path. I lost my eye sight in one eye. The point I am trying to make is there are student grants now for the lower wage earner and student loans, yes, that word you have to pay back. I am doing it; you can too.

UNION!!!!!!!! thanks to the Reagan era is when the unions started to get broken.... WE NEED TO UNION AGAIN!!! fair for everyone. Those that are hiring illegals should be shut down and possibly imprisoned.. They are not supporting anyone but themselves and the illegals more than likely do not pay taxes....get subsidized rent, free medical and food stamps at the real taxpayers expense and no auto insurance. Get in an auto accident with an illegal...

I feel shame for some of the previous comments listed. If you had a child that had to go hungry, even for a day, you would rethink your greedy ways. We are all human and we all deserve a comfortable home and food on our tables. These families are working and trying to provide those basic needs for their families. Something needs to be done. In the short term, if every person with a stocked pantry would just give a little we could help these families to provide food for their children.

I have been harassed on jobs and when I reported it, I was harassed further and forced to quit. The law didn't protect me, either. No attorney would take my case. I had to find other jobs. That's why they don't report it. The law is a sham unless it's a high profile case and some attorney can make big money off it or it can make an organization like the Civil Liberties Union look golden.

I was ilegal in this country for 14 years.
I Never ever got in trouble with the law, and owned my own business, employing North Americans and paying Taxes, from the beguining. It's not everyone that comes to america that goes and gets food stamps and medicaid! I cheched they do not give benefits to Ilegals duh!
I think only ignorant people have a problen with ilegal aliens after all they are here wiping your butts and you are liking and paying $5.00hr.

If you think going to college is going to save you, you're not paying attention. Human labor just isn't all that valuable anymore in the world-system. Machines do everything, and they're only going to be able to do more and more. The owners of the machines control everything.

Wow, right wing you need to open your eyes. Some people have a tough time going to college no matter how bad they want to. Financial aid isn't easy to come by. These people in the article deserve better treatment than they have been given. No one deserves to be treated that way.

when I started working at my current job, I was told that there will be no Overtime Pay. There have been times when it was needed. That's when the manager came to work and used an employees name, not his own. I told him it was illegal, he told me that if I do anything about it I will be fired. It's not much of a job (minimun wage) but it gets us through the month, without assistance. With this managers attitude the company owner will never be responsible for their actions. The manager thinks this is perfeclly reasonable.

when I started working at my current job, I was told that there will be no Overtime Pay. There have been times when it was needed. That's when the manager came to work and used an employees name, not his own. I told him it was illegal, he told me that if I do anything about it I will be fired. It's not much of a job (minimun wage) but it gets us through the month, without assistance. If it were just me I would fight this but I have family. With this managers attitude the company owner will never be responsible for their actions. The manager thinks this is perfeclly reasonable.

I am one of these workers and I did go to Labor board. The man was very rude to me had me in tears when I got off the phone making me feel like it was my fault the employer didn't pay me my wages that I rightly earned. I go to work at 8am I leave some times at at 1:00am or 2:00am and the employer would not pay me over time. I get paid 7.00 hr with no over time or insurance benefits. Labor board "said I was lucky to have a job and quit complaining. I got sick a few weeks back due to exhaustion and they let me go. They want pay me for the last 2 weeks I worked or the money they owe.
so I have gotten a lawyer and he is thoroughly looking at the case.

Instead of busting the illegal migrant workers, how about taking the company away from the owners and giving it to the workers themselves? Not only would the profit monger loose the check, the employees become the boss

Iam suprised to see how man people have responded by blaming the worker for getting cheated. How about we find the companies that cheat (I call it stealing) their employes and fix it the old fashioned American Way, By not doing business with them. I have worked for a company that failed to pay me for 80 hours, All I got was a lawyer bill and nothing more.

I'd like to know how many of these folks are in our country without the proper documentation. Those that are really can't complain too much about minimum wages not being met. too low pay would be illegal just like crossing into the U.S.A. to find work when our citizens are NOT able to work at a 10% rate!

First off why was Illegal Immigrants even mentioned in this study. No Illegal immigrant person should get paid any amount of money period!Thats why this country is so messed up. Why are they even here Illegaly, why arent they Legal? ALL ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS need to be become LEGAL CITIZENS or get deported! Go Back to your own Country!!! AS to Wages.

I believe every Legal Citizen, MAN / WOMEN / BLACK / WHITE / RED / BROWN / Whatever needs to make same Wages if same job is performed, Now I do believe in Pay by peformance so If 1 person can do better than another they should get Paid better, that would be a incentive to all to perform and be compensated for there perfomance instead of just showing up to work.

As for Unions, They are only as strong as it people. Yes this Country Is F'd Up just Look around then ask What Happened and WHY? We yes WE as A Country Allowed "THIS" to happen. Thats is all. Thank you & Good Bye!!!

If people are here illegaly they should not be here or taking jobs from americans that are unemployed. If people are working they need to learn their rights and inforce them. An employer must legally post the labor laws in his business. I am a business owner and my employees know their rights. They also know every way to get money from the government. I work very hard and many days my staff make more money than I do. No one seems to look at that. Or the financial risk that I am taking. Or the overtime that I am putting in. I am providing jobs a simple thank you would be nice. This country was built on hard work. I am tired of all these Democrats thinking that they should get something for nothing. If I don't make money I do without. Most people think that is a crime. It is what motivates us to build something. It is time the complainers get out of the cart and help pull. Thats what our previous generations did.

Some of the comments on this suggest alot of privileged people looking at this from a very naive perspective - historical, this perspective resulted in the beheading of the French Monarchy...

The issue here is employers cheating workers out of the money they are due. When you are on a limited income, holding onto any job is security. I don't think this should be address by additional legislation or by nationalizing that company. Rather, these people need to report their employers. Existing laws need to be enforced.

Employees can help themselves by keeping a personal log time of their hours and discuss any discrepancies with their employer.

One of my previous employers attempted to swindle me out of two weeks of pay, offering a pathetic severance. By simply referring him to the state Department Workforce guidelines, it was found he failed to meet several state work guidelines. Had I reported him, he would have stood to pay some hefty fines. We reached an agreement. While I did not receive my full pay, I believe it was a fair compromise.

Employers MUST meet minimum wage requirements. If this is not happening, employees must report them.

I quite disturbed by many of the comments posted here. I believe that the moral and noble thing to do is to pay the worker a fair and dignified wage that will help them put food on the table and be able to support their family. Many companies in american are exploting their worker.

I for one work for a pharmaceutical company and while the company profits billions. They pay us an average salary of 50k per year. Now imagine how it is at the minimum wage level and the disparity of wages and benefits vs company profits
(e.g. Walmart, Sams Club etc...). The cost of living keeps rising and rising while the wages are pretty much stagnant.

Lets not even start about top company executives that receive million dollar bonuses and benefits on top of their inflated salaries.

America wake up and workers unit!!!

Go to college or a trade school and get a real job. Stop stealing jobs from kids. After all that is what those jobs are for!

Posted by: Right wing at September 7, 2009 5:48 AM

Mr. or Ms. Right Wing,

Have you never gone to school or were you already in a real job before going to school? How does one make a living while trying to go to school to get the real job that you describe? They have to be in the lower paying jobs just to make it in order to go to school. Take for instance my situation. I am married, with 3 children, I am caucasian, and trying to go to school while working for a low pay at Wal-Mart. Tell me what I should do there, huh? Seems as if the right wing name is not the one for you!

Slavery is illegal here but it is still the ideal workforce model for a business manager. This is a problem of ethics which do not exist in American corporate structures.

Because of this lack of ethics, the United States no longer exists as it was envisioned, a nation of personal freedom. It has become a nation of usury with an oligarchal hegemony governed by plutocrats who are nothing but self-serving thieves.

WASP managers are the worst of the lot with utter conviction of their own importance and superiority. As a white New Englander whose family dates back to 1621 on this continent, and a retired business owner, I have deep shame for what leadership has become in America.

Business managers and leaders are the scourge and scum of the earth in today's America. They are traitors to the nation, its people and its ideals. They have corrupted our political system, impoverished our people and created a set of principles that are nothing short of criminal and foul in nature.

American business leaders have become gluttonous, bullying pigs.

I think the argument that illegal immigrants are taking jobs away from Americans is ludicrous. In large part, illegal immigrants are performing jobs that American workers have shunned. Now, if we had a majority of illegal immigrants working as CEOs and executives and managers, that might be a valid complaint. Whether we like it or not, illegal immigrants are a part of the labor economy in the US.

As far as wage abuse goes, the best thing I think we can do to try to change this situation is be willing to pay more for the things we want to buy. After all, part of the problem is us - we are the country that created a Wal-Mart culture. If we are willing to pay more, companies will hopefully not resort to such tactics to try to eke out maximum profits. Some companies are likely to continue to mistreat workers, but as long as we are willing to tell them how we feel by not buying their products, then we can either convince them or put them out of business.

In addition, any and all abuses need to be reported! If employees are too scared to do anything, then the company is given free reign to do whatever they want.

I worked for a fellow some years back who paid no overtime, and while it was reported to the authorities, they told me they were several years behind and wouldn't get to it any time soon. The company folded, owing something like 50,000 in back pay, and the owner just got away with it by moving to another state. The government doesn't go against the wealthy owners, just the poor workers. Who are they, anyhow?

It should be the goal of all humans to help the less fortunate. This is what parents should teach their children. This is what all citizens should demand from their government and representatives.
Those that exploit the labor of others should be scorned. To those that seek riches beyond their needs will face judgement soon enough. To the hard working laboring poor I say thanks and god bless whereever you are from.

I can think of a few places that can pay a surviving wage but they won't. L-3 for one. It's a Joke they tell you you'll be making 24 dollars an hour,but then they take 5 to 6 dollars back for there (BENIFITS) What a Joke!. Now your making Less then they said and can't even USE there benifits. because your to straped to make ends meet, and for your efforts to get it settled all you get is a Laugh for signing the contract and told to deal with it for a year.

To all of you with the negative attacking comments. Clearly you are not in touch with reality. In this economy, training, retraining, GED's, AA's and Bachlors degrees are not a guarantee that someone will not take advantage of you. We all need money to survive. The legal system only exasperates the situation. Laws mean nothing if you do not have the money to have them enforced. However, one would think someone would enforce the Federal Labor Laws. Obviously not!!!! By the way I am college educated,with twenty plus years of work experience. (Corporate buyout and position eliminated.) I work 48 hours a week for little more than minimum wage, with no overtime or benefits. I need the paycheck!

First of all you have to realize that the illegal immigrants that are here in america are criminals weather you believe it or not they are. They have come here illegally and whether it is a minimum wage job or not they have no right to be here let alone have a job. As far as what people get paid its ashame. The problem is that a lot of companies even though they make a profit are farming out the jobs to these illgegal immigrants that will work for a low wage, these people live 2 and maybe 3 families to a house and reap the benefits of some kind of asst. whether its free medical or some even go as far as draw welfare using each others children plus working that minimum job. We are seeing a lot of companies like UAL doing this same kind of work ethic hiring the the illegal and they sure not passing the savings on to you have you bought a plane tickect lately....

im sick of hearing about illegals coming and taking OUR jobs. If some of the americans would stop bitching and complaining instead of getting these jobs ther wouldn't be any problems. I've worked with illegals and they are very hard workers who are trying to better themselves and thier families. They will do the worst jobs, that americans would never do because they just want to live.One illegal ive worked with sends his money home to help pay for his brother and sister back home.and by the way look at your family tree, we or our family were also illegals or immagrants at one point in life, unless you have american indian blood running through your body we are all immagrants. give illegal aliens a chance to become citizens, work hard and try to provide the american dream for their families. Are we not a diverse country built on the hard work and sweat from immagrants?

First of all, it is illegal to hire an undocumented worker. When an employer hires anyone and pays them in violation of our wage and hour laws, that creates an unfair competition for other employers who are paying wages in accordance with the law. Secondly, America should put more emphasis on higher education, either college or a trade. We need educated and skilled workers to compete with other countries. When anyone in our country is treated unfairly, that holds everyone back. Who knows, we could be preventing someone from finding cures to diseases. Seems to me the last most devastating disease that was actually prevented by formulation (creation) of a vaccine was polio.

the prob is the fact there is too much outsource and too many companies movin else where and we have take what we can get and shut and suppose to shut up about it. STOP OUTSOURCING OUR JOBS U MORONS we need jobs here not in china mexico or whereever the hell u move to

Keith,

18.00 to 19.00 an hour and your straped?

Really?

It seems that there are two issues here. One is legal. If a legal worker is not paid for all of their time worked or is not paid minimum wage, at least, then the employer needs taken through the court system. The other is an entitlement issue. Just because you are born in the US that makes you "entitled" to what? How much do these people get in food stamps, healthcare, and housing assistance? How much is enough? And I'm sorry but the young girl in the video looks as though she eats plenty. We should think self responsibility first...social responsibility second.

The service inustry workers has the country by the balls if they would unionize, they cant move service jobs overseas, All service employees should UNIONIZE now, what can they do, now is the time while the dems are in power for the repubs would wquash them.

We already knew that the minimum wage guys were bieng cheated? What took so long for the NY Times to FINALLY write something about it? Additionally if we put thought to it, when we actually STRAIGHTEN up our rules, the big bad company will find some cheap place overseas where they can continue the bullshit. My friend is in Mexico putting together BY HAND, the transformers for stereo amplifiers that you and I buy for our cars, and she sees a little less than $60.00 / week on a good week. The more I see this, and the more I HEAR about the abuse in our country, the more I RESENT the WHITE ELITE folks.

This is not something new, large corporations like CompUSA, old or new always trim hours to make sure most of the overtime were not paid. and managers would be asked to work 60 to 75 hours, and the check is only for 40hours. It's a growing issue that the Federal Goverment knows, but are not doing the job to put an end to it. And most employees feels that if they fight to hard, they would lose their job.

Unionize

You chose your job if they are cheating you quit get a differnt or better job rember you chose the job it did not chose you.
The way to get out of being poor is to stop exepting some one else to fix it for you. You are the only one that can make your life better.

I agree with Rowdy. You hit the nail on the head.

there are a whole lot of little things that add up to this situation. a new president every 4 or 8 years with their own agenda,dependence on foreign contries for product, companies sending their work overseas, illegal immigrants, people who take advantage of the system, people who know the loop holes in the gov't, employers who don't even know who their employees are, monopolies are back, banks bend you over, religion mixing with the gov't, tobacco and alcohol, just to name a few

In response to the statement by 1623yankee, I fully agree with you. I was working 2 jobs and a single mother. I lost both of those jobs due to layoffs and the other due to the type of management that you spoke of. I now work for a company that is supposed to be a christian organization, we are closed on sundays, but the supervisor that is in charge is detestable. I worked 6 days a week and we are paid bi-weekly at 8.00 per hour and keep and mind I have an associate of science degree. Not only did I not get paid the correct amount ( I was lacking 100.00 and more from my paychecks) for the hours I worked, this person then proceeded to cut me down to 3 days a week. I'm one of there best workers there and I was told this would be a full time position from the owner who had hired me. I am always looking for a better position but everywhere you go the management is nothing but a joke. They don't want good workers they want someone they can manipulate. The second job I had previously, there HR person stated we don't have to provide you benefits, just be gratefukl you have a job! The greed in this country is overwhelming and the american worker is treated no better than a slave in the name of big business.

Everything is about money and power. If I am not mistaken, money is power. And so many people in the position of power abuse it.They seem to forget where they were or where they came from at one time. Its a darn shame that people in power look at everything in a fianacial barrier. And only out for the dollar bill. Why does humanity stay outside?We all have needs and wants for survival in our lives.People let power go to their heads like drugs and alcohol does.I believe setting limits on proceedures, and making off limits as well.

Intercruises/Cruiselink is one of the worst employers, the pay and treatment of their employees is horrible. This company has 500 part time employees and 12 F/T employees. Celeste Gladstone the President and Margaret Zacharis the manager of operations are 2 Slave drivers they demand perfection but treat their employees like crap! Intercruises recently bought the company from Celeste Gladstone but kept her on as President. Nothing has improved for the employees. There is no union, the pay is barely above minimum wage and much less than the cruise lines give her for employees, the cruise lines give her $25. to $30. per hour for employees, yet she pays her employees $10. per hour. There are no health benefits, NO TRAVEL BENEFITS-NOT EVEN A CRUISE DISCOUNT, no sick or vacation benefits, no place to hang your coat, no place to secure your belongings, you get a lunch break ONLY IF IT'S CONVENIENT for them, the only place for employees to sit and eat is amongst the passengers in the boarding area, Celeste Gladstone never says hi to her emloyees, employees have to buy their own uniforms which is always changing, whenever you make a mistake they yell and curse at you, they encourage brown nosings, they have a unorganized slob Robert Sorrentino who dresses unprofessional and looks like a bum telling employees they should dress and look like flight attentands; although he looks like a bum everyday. They have 2 supervisors who are husband and wife Rosie & Bill Mearns who are also unprofessional, they have pictures of themselves and stuffed penguins all over the check in area it looks sloppy and unprofessional. Rosie acts as if every woman wants to steal her little punk husband from her. If she's that insecure and jealous she shouldn't work with her husband. She dresses sloppy and unprofessional, she looks like she's going to clean out the garage or have a yard sale. Celeste has family members working for the company off the books including her son Matthew, her mother Mary Lou does payroll and doesn't like any questions regarding their unscrupulous payroll practices. Margaret Zacharis is an uneducated thug who sends out messages via e mail and schedule source with numerous errors so bad that if you don't know what she's talking about, you wouldn't know what she was talking about. Needless to say the company has a high turnover rate.

We were all created equal, right? Yet some of us have been more fortunate than others. I think that the more fortunate are willing to help the less fortunate but draw back when helping is mandated through taxes. Taxes are my pet peeve. It irks me that my tax dollars are distributed to welfare cheats who squander the benefits and convert script to cash. I understand that not all welfare recipients are abusers of the system, but I'm convinced that many are, and I'm sure that some of them are hustling on the side and earning some unreported income. I think that one problem with government handouts is that in the recipients mind, the handout eventually becomes an entitlement. I think that getting hooked on the handouts eliminates the recipients incentive to get a job and be self supporting. In fact, many recipients have discovered that more dependents equals larger handouts and those clever people have had more childrent in order to maximize their monthly stipend. Welfare has become a way of life. What's most irritating is that I'm working hard to pay for this nonsense. Did I mention that we were all created equal? I've managed to get a good job by going to school, serving my country, and keeping my nose clean. It worked for me.

PUT THE BLAME WHERE IT BELONGS IT IS NOT THE ILLEAGLS OR THE EMPLOYEES OR EVEN THE EMPLOYERS WHO ARE AT FAULT TI IS THE FAULT OF PURE AMERICAN GREED AND THOSE OF YOU WHO WON'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT I AM A BUSSINESS OWNER AND I DO PAY FAIR AN LEAGAL WAGES BUT I HAVE TO COMPETE AGAINST THOSE WHO DON'T QUIT COMPLAINING ABOUT IT AND DO SOMETHING TO STOP IT ELECT BETTER POLITICIANS AND MAYBE THINGS WILL CHANGE

For all of you whithes,blacks,illegals,legals,,whatever u wanna be call, we are all the same, when its all about your family, yous kids you will do anythin you can to survive so deal whit it keep figthing for that reason im an imigrant to God be with all of you

The ones who needs to read all of theses feedbacks, are not going to read them. That's your elected officials who can make changes to the labor laws, and protect those workers from these companies who steals from the workers.

Is this really NEW information? There is alot of misinformation being spread regarding exactly who is being hurt by the NAFDA trade agreements and the resulting job market here in the good ol' USA. An earlier statement questioned the Feds knowledge of the abuse of the supposed laws made to protect the working class. Heck fire!!!!!! When is the finger going to point to the true culprit? Our government is responsible for the raping of the underpaid and over-worked. This is to assure that the bottom line of the ultra rich who actually run the country and its' businesses is always at the maximum.

What must be realized is that the poor of the work force are very much aware of how they are considered when new practices are implimented. Any one who spouts off about getting an education or finding a better paying job (yeah, I'm referring to you, right wing) has never known what poverty is. No one cares about who is starving or who is living in the woods near YOUR finer subdivisions. The real people of the work force will soon be making a stand against the further destabilization of the US economy. Watch out you Washington politicians, you really need to be awake and VERY alert if you wish to remain in your little club.

I don't believe illegals should receive all the government subsudies that they do. Many of the US citizens are out of work with maybe only one income coming into the house hold can not get help from the government. WHY? Many illegals lie. With their pregnant bellies,tell the Department of Social Services their husbands are in Mexico when they are working and not paying taxes and taking from the US citizen's pay checks. If they want to work in the US, let them pay taxes and not get government subsudies the US citizens are paying for.

I saw no where in this article a link to the study, who produced the study.

I'm thinking this is just a bunch more liberal hoopla on a day honoring American workers but pushing the liberal's agenda of "Organizing America".

Wake up sheeple. IF there are companies out there not paying OT (over-time) they will get caught and the employees will receive restitution. They just have to open their mouths and complain to which ever State entity handles these labor issues.

I was born in the United States and am a college graduate. I decided to take a different turn in my forties and work at JCPenneys so I could have the hours off I needed to go and cheer my children on in their school activities (music, band, sports, academic teams). The first two years were great as I had respectable, appreciative, and pleasant management to work with. I am paid hourly and earn a commission. They were constantly on us to make our goals but rewarded us accordingly and gave positive encouragement. Two years later, I experienced a new department manager, store manager, and assistant store manager and the entire store attitude was changed. My hours have been cut drastically and I have been treated disrespectfully even though I have proven to be the top salesperson each year. Twice I have achieved the next highest goal and was supposed to get paid a higher commission and they have not honored it. I was even guarranteed by the store manager I would receive it this year (for last year) and at the end of JULY (seven months later!!) the store manager calmly told me she checked into it why I wasn't getting it and was told that everything was frozen. That was that. She apparently didn't even fight for me. (By the way, I live in Elkhart County, Indiana and my husband has now been unemployed for nine months like many other people in this county.) I don't get it. I had the least amount of hours in my department and sold them the MOST sales and had the highest in the AREA for selling care plans and they don't want to pay me what I have ALREADY EARNED!!! So much for the honesty and integrity of JCPenney!! I do believe its not JCP's entire fault I am treated this way. It's the unprofessionalism of our current management staff. My previous management staff would have seen to it that I received what was due me. Have they backed off in nagging us about reaching certain goals daily, weekly, and yearly??? NO! They are constantly on us saying we can earn MORE if we sell more. SO NOT TRUE AND MISLEADING!!!! My problem is there is nothing else in the area, no jobs at all. I'm stuck where I am because of my circumstances right now. Of course, I will always do my best. I always do. They sure don't deserve it though.

There is plenty of blame to go around. The more you let big organizations like the afl-cio, seiu, acorn, ofa, and so on they keep your mind off the real culprits...those in elected office who they helped put there. Sure some companies could pay more and benefits could always be better but those organizations and ones like them are mostly horrid since they rape the very ones they propose to represent and all the while make so much money for their "elite" it is sickening. Wake up people. Quit letting them and elected officials "herd" you around.

It's called a labor market. As an employee, you are selling your labor and the employer is buying it. If you are smart, you are getting as much as you can for the labor you are selling. If your labor is worth more than you're getting for it, go somewhere else. In a free market, the employer is supposed to get these best people he or she can for the lowest price. Nobody owes anyone a living. I cannot believe so many people think the world owes them a living. Grow up!

Illegals shouldn't be hired unless they can produce a green card, then they are not illegal. I personally would not hire someone that didn't have a high school diploma. I wouldn't pay overtime and I wouldn't allow a worker to work overtime. It has been said that everyone deserves a home and food, I say they deserve that only if they are willing to work to pay for it. Why should I have to provide food or shelter to anyone too lazy to work? Do all of you on welfare understand what I'm saying? Get a job, get off your lazy a$$. We're tired of paying your way, that system is breaking California...

KARMA??? Yes, it is a shame that people are being under paid & Cheated, but I cannot feel sorry for the illegal aliens because they are cheating the TAX PAYERS! They put themselves in a position where they cannot complain about being cheated because they are cheating also.

Does this happen in other parts of the world? Can you or I enter a country illegally and work, receive benefits etc? I don't know but lean towards NO. I can go to another country legally, start a business not not have to pay taxes for 3-5 yrs? (I also don't know if this still applies) This is what I have been told please tell me if I wrong. Someone can come to america, start a business tax free for 3-5 yrs, transfer the business to a relative and they in turn go tax free also?
Illegals should not be allowed to work here unless there is proof they are working to become a US citizen and americans need to get off their high horse and work even if it flipping bugers til they find a better job. And I can justify saying this because I did this as a single parent of 3 children & going to school to better our lives. I used whatever was available to climb out of the poverty hole, free food, free health clinic's, low income heating, low income housing, whatever it took beacuse I always looked at it a temporary situation so I could become productive.
As for the post about stealing jobs from kids? Pfft! Our kids don't want those jobs, that's why major tourist areas bring kids in from europe, not enough of american kids who want to work or not enough to fill the positions.

I HAVE ALWAYS FELT LIKE WAITRESSES WERE NOT PAID A FAIR WAGE. HERE IN WV UNLESS YOU ARE AT AN UPSCALE RESTURAUNT ALWAYS WERE NOT PAID THE MINIMUM WAGE AND DEPENDS ON THEIR TIPS TO MAKE A LIVING. TO ME THAT IS NOT ONLY UNFAIR TO THESE WORKERS BUT THE PEOPLE WHO DO THE TIPPING. TIPPING SHOULD BE FOR GOOD SERVICE AND ONLY GOOD SERVICE. THAT'S WHAT IT STARTED OUT TO BE. WHEN A RESTURAUNT OWNER CANNOT PAY THE MINIMUM WAGE THEN SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH THIS PICTURE.

Nothing but union bull.

I HAVE ALWAYS FELT LIKE WAITRESSES WERE NOT PAID A FAIR WAGE. HERE IN WV UNLESS YOU ARE AT AN UPSCALE RESTURAUNT ALWAYS WERE NOT PAID THE MINIMUM WAGE AND DEPENDS ON THEIR TIPS TO MAKE A LIVING. TO ME THAT IS NOT ONLY UNFAIR TO THESE WORKERS BUT THE PEOPLE WHO DO THE TIPPING. TIPPING SHOULD BE FOR GOOD SERVICE AND ONLY GOOD SERVICE. THAT'S WHAT IT STARTED OUT TO BE. WHEN A RESTURAUNT OWNER CANNOT PAY THE MINIMUM WAGE THEN SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH THIS PICTURE.

WHAT IS THE PROBLEM NOW? I HAVE NEVER POSTED ANYTHING ON THIS WEBSITE, HAVE ON NEWSVINE, ETC. WHY THE MESSAGE I HAVE POSTED TOO MANY POSTS ON THIS WEBSITE?

1. I am college educated.
2. I am a woman
3. I got cheated out of an hour of wages everyday.
I worked as a secretary for a K-12 school district. Everyday they altered my pay at the district office deducting hours and changing my time sheet. When I complained and tried to get my money, I was forced to leave my job. I contacted an attorney who told me if I didn't get more people to come on board he wouldn't take my case - not enough money to represent one worker. I had already suffered enough stress that I moved on... Low-level positions are often mistreated and abused. Don't kid yourself!

1. I am college educated.
2. I am a woman
3. I got cheated out of an hour of wages everyday.
I worked as a secretary for a K-12 school district. Everyday they altered my pay at the district office deducting hours and changing my time sheet. When I complained and tried to get my money, I was forced to leave my job. I contacted an attorney who told me if I didn't get more people to come on board he wouldn't take my case - not enough money to represent one worker. I had already suffered enough stress that I moved on... Low-level positions are often mistreated and abused. Don't kid yourself!

It is not just low wage workers that are cheated. I make well over minimum wage but my employer always is cheating us out of pay. We work basically a standard 50 hour week with no over-time pay. They get around this by paying us per job. Which is a practice not allowed in the state I previously lived in. I think all middle income and below working people get cheated out of pay.

First of all this is America and we are one of the richest countries in the world but thats due to the 2% of people who are milionares and billionairs in this country. We are a free nation and make our own choices. When you left Highschool you had the choice to pursue something. I am 26 years old and chose to be lazy when I graduated highshcool and for the past 8 years I have nothing other than a low paying job and am a single father with 0% assistance from his mother. I have started going back to school to get my HVAC certification and will be done in 6 more months. No more making 10 to 12 dollars an hour. I live in WA state and our living wage should be at least 13.50 an hour but State Minimum wage is only $8.55. Bottom line is we cant expect people to be forced to pay more if there employees dont even wanna make the attempt to better themselves. We want our pockets to get a little fatter at the expense of the business owner who made something out of his life. This is a Democracy not a Communism or Dictatorship. You make the choice of how you want to live life. If i can be a single father and still find the time to work and go to school than anyone can. So please instead of blaming your unsuccesfull sorry excuses for lives on someone else and try to look at all of the things that you coulda done and then make and follow the steps on what you can do to fix it. I do believe however that an employeer should realize that his employees are just as important as their customers. No employees means no work to serve their customers.

It makes me sad that some of the comments posted here are by angry and somewhat racist folks
(there are white people in the video too!).
I served this country so that your constitutional rights are protected - specially the freedom of speech. However, I think you'all missed the pont here. It is not illegals, it is not lack of education. The issue is greed, lack of ethics and not trying to work out problems. Going after workers is not the answer. But, until the citizens of this great nation go back to the root-values of America, including "In God we trust"; nothing will be fixed.

Laws in our country do not protect the employees but the companies... much more if those companies are parts of corporations.

This country went from the land of the free to the 21st century type of feudalism.

Nowadays we have to do the job of three people for the pay of one and the management of the company can harrass us as much as they want and no lawyer will take the case, because they know that all the laws protect the companies... All that thanks to Bush Administration... That was also the reason why he never did anything to fix the immigration law, because the operators of sweat shops who were his friends would not get the cheap labor that they always want.

This can't be fixed anymore, cause the only one that wants to fix it - YES OBAMA ... is being attacked as an enemy of the nation by the same people that is being abused and harrassed... unbelievable huh?

Instead he is being called communist, fascist, nazi etc...

Just incredible... well I guess we get and we will get what we all deserve.

All workers, legal or illegal are human beings who deserve to be treated with respect especially when they are doing work that provides a profit for a company. If they will cheat you out of your wages then they will steal money out of your wallet if it laying in sight. Anyone who works for an hourly wages should fight for a union in the workplace.

In America the definition of illegal is a sick national bird.

My husband is sole propeiter of a small manufactoring business. It is all he can manage to stay afloat. How about considering how the business owner is paying taxes out of his pocket for these so called cheated low wage urban workers. If they are so dissatisfied with their salary, they are most welcome to hit the road.

Ok, It's easy to see why people with low skills and abilities get frustrated. If they can't at least live at the very lowest decent level while working full time, what's the use? And where are they supposed to go from there?
But in this video, I see people who don't speak English complaining. I see overweight people complaining that they don't have enough to eat. Their case is not made very well by showing these situations.

You should investagate JC penneys, If asked, I can relate facts of employee mistreatment. Lets start with getting paid min wage , having health insurence payments being deducted , then having a $2500.deductable. and theres more.....

My wife works for a doctors office and has a good job with good pay. However, they cheat her out of her overtime, which they require her to work, by counting every 5 days as a pay period. And since a lot of her overtime is done at home on the weekend she is getting straight time for what should be overtime. According to our states labor board, and she has called them, this is illegal. However they wont even look into it without her filing a formal complaint and signing her name to it. And they said they would have to tell her employer who filed the complaint. So she can either get overtime and lose her job or she can sit back and take it. The rules need to be changed.

I used to have a steady job at Walmart, four months ago. I was making decent money 7.90/hr. Until one day they pulled me into the office and fired me for no reason at all. I am married with no kids, I am struggling to put my husband through college and pay our monthly rent.
I have applied to over 20 places with in the month, I have been going through a government job agency, that has helped me find a job. I was working up to five nights a week, I worked graveyards. Now this is a warehouse. I get little water and only two fifteen minute breaks for an 8 hour shift.
I was then cut back to three to one night a week. I have had seven job interviews and I always got the same answer, we'll call you once we decide we have other interviews scheduled today.
It is so hard for me, a white woman, to find a job. So why is it that illegal immigrants can get a job so easily? Why is it hard for us American Citizens who have been here all of our lives, hard to get a job to get by? It's because of our economy, they are screwing us over from left to right, taking what they believe is theirs when us underpaid is not. People everyone says we need to band together and fight for what is right! They are right we do need to. So let's stand up and fight!

"Go to college or a trade school and get a real job. Stop stealing jobs from kids. After all that is what those jobs are for!"

Posted by: Right wing at September 7, 2009 5:48 AM

This comment is from a fool who needs to get their ass beat for being a stupid retard. These jobs are not for kid and it takes money to go to college.

It just like the right wing to be stupid, hey kid go shoot yourself.

Another thing they do in Texas I got hurt at work I am a veteran so I have medical from the VA texas workers comp on the other hand is a mess They companies hire their own doctors who in My case determined that I had a pulled muscle at the same time the veterans medical staff had my back xrayed and found that I have 3 fractures in the T-10 area
so workers comp says I can work BUT the doctor that they pay for care of (my pulled muscle) back injury has seen xrays of my T10 and has prescribed Hydrocodone 10 and naproxin and skelaxin for my pain I get nothing but insurance (medical) fron workers comp no pay at all a laywer will not take the case either because the Texas governor is an owner of the insuarnce company that I am covered by so yes the system will cheat when it can

right wing is this country's problem

"...we have a long way to go for real universal justice in America." Ya Bet ya! Minimum wage jobs are not just for kids. It is surprising how many adults have to take them in an effort to try and support their families. A couple, each with one minimum wage job cannot live anywhere, except possibly a slum. Why don't they complain? Because they will get fired, that's why, genius! If not for that reason, a big employer with HR experts and attorneys on retainer can always cook up a reason to fire a disgruntled worker. They will make their lives a living hell until they find a reason to let them go. It is a proven fact that to fight the system you need an attorney on your side. If you get one, the other side can always buy it and you lose anyway.

I can also appreciate the side of small business in this argument. Small businesses should not have the same burdens of worker's comp and unemployment insurance that large corporations have. They should also have the freedom to hire independent contractors and allow them to take ownership of their own tax and insurance issues. Insurance is one of the big burdens that arbitrarily gives breaks to certain markets while it gouges other markets. It is legal and impossible to fight. It might surprise you to know that Wal-Mart, the nation's if not the world's largest retailer is guilty of more employee abuse than most other employers.

Can't even speak English quit complaining! your lucky you have a job and we don't ship you back to cuba.

For all of those people shouting "GO TO COLLEGE AND GET A REAL JOB!!!", may I submit the following examples: the three most successful entrepreneurs in the computer industry, Bill Gates, Michael Dell, and Apple co-founder SteveWozniak, all do not have a college degree. Here are some others: Malcolm X, Rush Limbaugh, Barbra Streisand, PBS NewsHour’s Nina Totenberg, Tom Hanks, Maya Angelou, Ted Turner, Ellen DeGeneres, former Governor Jesse Ventura, IBM founder Thomas Watson, architect Frank Lloyd Wright, former Israeli president David Ben Gurion, Woody Allen, Warren Beatty, Domino’s pizza chain founder Tom Monaghan, folksinger Joan Baez, director Quentin Tarantino, ABC-TV’s Peter Jennings, Wendy’s founder Dave Thomas, Thomas Edison, Blockbuster Video founder and owner of the Miami Dolphins Wayne Huizenga, William Faulkner, Jane Austen, McDonald’s founder Ray Kroc, Oracle founder Larry Ellison, Henry Ford, cosmetics magnate Helena Rubenstein, Benjamin Franklin, Alexander Graham Bell, Coco Chanel, Walter Cronkite, Walt Disney, Bob Dylan, Leonardo DiCaprio, cookie maker Debbie Fields, Sally Field, Jane Fonda, Buckminster Fuller, Dreamworks co-founder David Geffen, Roots author Alex Haley, Ernest Hemingway, Dustin Hoffman, famed anthropologist Richard Leakey, airplane inventors Wilbur and Orville Wright, Madonna, satirist H.L. Mencken, Martina Navritalova, Rosie O’Donnell, Nathan Pritikin (Pritikin diet), chef Wolfgang Puck, Robert Redford, oil billionaire John D. Rockefeller, Eleanor Roosevelt, NBC mogul David Sarnoff, and seven U.S. presidents from Washington to Truman. So...um.....yeah......

I think it's interesting how some ignorant people keep saying go to trade school and find another job, when they know it's already difficult for people with masters degrees to find employment. If they're working at McDonald's or some other minimum wage job, what makes you think they can afford years of schooling? Better yet, what makes you think they have the freedom to not work, take care of their families and go to school? These are the same ignorant people who see someone homeless on the street and tell them to get a job - where would THEY work, I wonder? Exactly - McDonald's or some other minimum wage job. These comments are likely from pretentious individuals who habitually make excuses for the mistreatment of others. No effort is ever good enough. The point is that people are working and not getting paid for it. They're asking what's owed to them - no more, no less. No matter where you work or what class you are, it's an injustice. Eat a slice of humble pie and start thinking about someone other than yourself - the world is bigger than you and your white collar bubble.

Cheating a worker, illegal or not is cheating. It is not OK to work an illegal like a dog and then call the INS on payday. Happens, folks. Greed knows no boundaries. When you mistreat people, legal or not, men or women, minority or majority it will come back to haunt you. check out Walmart, they are one of the worst offenders. No fulltime workers, they make YOU pay for any benefits used by their non benefit receiving workers. They throw away more food than they sell, daily...take a good look and then shop elsewhere. Anytime you hear of injustices, do NOT line their pockets...

Europeans are the pioneers of illegal immigration. The difference between the europeans and the latin immigrants is that the europeans came here to conquer and came here out of greed. Why stay in your own country when you can steal some one elses? Most of the Latin immigrants come here to work. If they were a true burden on the system we would all be gone. The moral of the story is You cant build a country on conquest, greed, slavery, violence, land grabbing, and oppression thinking there will be no reprocussions later on. Thats the reason this country is a piece of shit. A bunch of patriotic hypocrites that are too jacked up on sugar and television to see what is really going on. There is no true freedom in this country. Everything has an owner including you(your job). 99.9 percent of people in this country are slaves to the capitalist system. The rest are the capitalists who use us like machines to keep their wealth and power in check around the world. All white people are here just as illegall as the mexican bus boy. The true enemy is the federal reserve and corporations. While we spend all our energy on blaming each other for who is at fault for the lowering standard of living for both legals and illegals they continue to reap huge profits and continue to control the world by owning everything and using us as soldiers for their wars.

Slavery is illegal here but it is still the ideal workforce model for a business manager. This is a problem of ethics which do not exist in American corporate structures.

Because of this lack of ethics, the United States no longer exists as it was envisioned, a nation of personal freedom. It has become a nation of usury with an oligarchal hegemony governed by plutocrats who are nothing but self-serving thieves.

WASP managers are the worst of the lot with utter conviction of their own importance and superiority. As a white New Englander whose family dates back to 1621 on this continent, and a retired business owner, I have deep shame for what leadership has become in America.

Business managers and leaders are the scourge and scum of the earth in today's America. They are traitors to the nation, its people and its ideals. They have corrupted our political system, impoverished our people and created a set of principles that are nothing short of criminal and foul in nature.

American business leaders have become gluttonous, bullying pigs.

Posted by: 1623yankee at September 7, 2009 9:43 AM

Well said

No one should ever be cheated in an ideal world, however we don't live in an ideal world. I find it difficule to sympathize with illegals who do not speak the language or speak it poorly, yet they've come here to take the jobs that teens should be doing. It is not my responsibility to raise the dozens of children you have. My advice is to go home get educated then come back legally. and get a real job.

As far as all these parasitic illegal foreigners in this country, I believe Metallica put it best with the title of their 1983 debut album. "Kill em All"

As far as all these parasitic illegal foreigners in this country, I believe Metallica put it best with the title of their 1983 debut album. "Kill em All"

this is for "right wing"

go to college or trade school and get a job? Please, just because you have a piece of paper saying you are qualified it is not going to be any easier...especially for minorities. I have three college degrees and am currently working on a PhD. I just left a respectable job that was paying me what someone whith an Associate's degree could make. The position required a Masters degree, but payed way below what an entry level position for a Masters would pay. Plus, because the position was "Exempt", they would work the crap out of me with no comp time, no overtime. This is the reality of our work force. Screw over who ever you can and pay them the very least amount of money regardless of job performance.

As far as all these parasitic illegal foreigners go, I believe Metallica put it best with the title of their 1983 debut album "Kill em All"

why are you all so down on illegal immigrants?If you knew what these people go thru to get here, (well you probably wouldn't care) just to better their lives and the lives of their families. It shouldn't even be an issue, they are here, do you want to spend YOUR money to send them back? It is a human rights issue if you ask me,you have gotten so arrogant in your wealthy america that you have forgotten real values like the value of a human lives. Oh I am american, I am better than the whole world, well let me tell you, you snobby two face swine eating piece of garbage- I am american too and you are not better than me. Let me catch one of you mistreating one of my "illegal" friends and see what happens, and phillip mr "kill em all" you will learn before your time is up what a real parasite is. I swear you people sound like a bunch of trailer trash, and I think I am starting to hate people like you as much as you say you hate everyone else. I hope your lives end as miserably as they began.

why are you all so down on illegal immigrants?If you knew what these people go thru to get here, (well you probably wouldn't care) just to better their lives and the lives of their families. It shouldn't even be an issue, they are here, do you want to spend YOUR money to send them back? It is a human rights issue if you ask me,you have gotten so arrogant in your wealthy america that you have forgotten real values like the value of a human lives. Oh I am american, I am better than the whole world, well let me tell you, you snobby two face swine eating piece of garbage- I am american too and you are not better than me. Let me catch one of you mistreating one of my "illegal" friends and see what happens, and phillip mr "kill em all" you will learn before your time is up what a real parasite is. I swear you people sound like a bunch of trailer trash, and I think I am starting to hate people like you as much as you say you hate everyone else. I hope your lives end as miserably as they began.

why are you all so down on illegal immigrants?If you knew what these people go thru to get here, (well you probably wouldn't care) just to better their lives and the lives of their families. It shouldn't even be an issue, they are here, do you want to spend YOUR money to send them back? It is a human rights issue if you ask me,you have gotten so arrogant in your wealthy america that you have forgotten real values like the value of a human lives. Oh I am american, I am better than the whole world, well let me tell you, you snobby two face swine eating piece of garbage- I am american too and you are not better than me. Let me catch one of you mistreating one of my "illegal" friends and see what happens, and phillip mr "kill em all" you will learn before your time is up what a real parasite is. I swear you people sound like a bunch of trailer trash, and I think I am starting to hate people like you as much as you say you hate everyone else. I hope your lives end as miserably as they began.

why are you all so down on illegal immigrants?If you knew what these people go thru to get here, (well you probably wouldn't care) just to better their lives and the lives of their families. It shouldn't even be an issue, they are here, do you want to spend YOUR money to send them back? It is a human rights issue if you ask me,you have gotten so arrogant in your wealthy america that you have forgotten real values like the value of a human lives. Oh I am american, I am better than the whole world, well let me tell you, you snobby two face swine eating piece of garbage- I am american too and you are not better than me. Let me catch one of you mistreating one of my "illegal" friends and see what happens, and phillip mr "kill em all" you will learn before your time is up what a real parasite is. I swear you people sound like a bunch of trailer trash, and I think I am starting to hate people like you as much as you say you hate everyone else. I hope your lives end as miserably as they began.

why are you all so down on illegal immigrants?If you knew what these people go thru to get here, (well you probably wouldn't care) just to better their lives and the lives of their families. It shouldn't even be an issue, they are here, do you want to spend YOUR money to send them back? It is a human rights issue if you ask me,you have gotten so arrogant in your wealthy america that you have forgotten real values like the value of a human lives. Oh I am american, I am better than the whole world, well let me tell you, you snobby two face swine eating piece of garbage- I am american too and you are not better than me. Let me catch one of you mistreating one of my "illegal" friends and see what happens, and phillip mr "kill em all" you will learn before your time is up what a real parasite is. I swear you people sound like a bunch of trailer trash, and I think I am starting to hate people like you as much as you say you hate everyone else. I hope your lives end as miserably as they began.

Everyone should have a legal presence where they live and work, while being paid fair and equal wages for what they do. Changing jobs, going to school, or fighting back sounds fantastic, but is not always available and accessible to everyone.

Instead, hold bad employers and businesses that steal from their employees accountable for their actions and behavior when it’s discovered. Hit them where it hurts most; in their wallet. It's the only language they understand that will create positive, lasting changes for low-wage urban workers.

Everyone should have a legal presence where they live and work, while being paid fair and equal wages for what they do. Changing jobs, going to school, or fighting back sounds fantastic, but is not always available and accessible to everyone.

Instead, hold bad employers and businesses that steal from their employees accountable for their actions and behavior when it’s discovered. Hit them where it hurts most; in their wallet. It's the only language they understand that will create positive, lasting changes for low-wage urban workers.

Yo you want me to post it again or you get it the first 5 times

Thats nothing I used to work at the Burlington Coat Factory Department Store In Northern Kentucky, and they don't give any of there employees any raises of any kind, unless you count the state required increase raise, and only give people working there limited hours and it's like that all year long, personally I think there selfish, and pocketing the money, so this isn't just say because of the poor economy as they claim, just goes to show that this problem seems to be more then just say a local walmart and such.

The only people that get real hours are the people that are mangers there, and those paid on salaries.

The main cause of this problem is JUST PLAIN GREED.
Upper management and regular management see this as a way to put more money into their pocket and out of the workers pocket. Management feels that they are the most important and deserve more pay in stead of the regular worker who really is the one carrying all the load and getting screwed out of more pay.
Unions are needed more to stop this injustice on workers, that is why companies will go to any measures to keep a union from forming in their companies because then management will not be able to pocket any more money taken from the workers.

The only things that come from the Bronx are AIDS and murder victims. So who cares what "Bronx BOY" thinks. I'd tell you to go to hell, but you already live there. LOL

The only things that come from the Bronx are AIDS and murder victims. So who cares what "Bronx BOY" thinks. I'd tell you to go to hell, but you already live there. LOL

The only things that come from the Bronx are AIDS and murder victims. So who cares what "Bronx BOY" thinks. I'd tell you to go to hell, but you already live there. LOL

A century ago when the industrial revolution was in full swing, late 1800's America was enjoying extreme growth & prosperity, but the workers had to work 13-14 hour days, 7 days a week, & even their children worked. The elitists that were the entrepreneurs enjoyed wealth from the workers labor, until the workers united & created Unions to fight for their right to an honest working wage & livable conditions, if it were not for those workers we wouldn't have a weekend, sick leave, vacation, child labor laws and all those benefits we enjoy today. So, now is a time again where the emphasis is on the elitists & stock holders, earning their return on the backs of the workers. This country needs another revolution & re-unite into Unions, don't blame the Unions for America's problems, it's the Unions that have fought for us in the past, that is the real meaning of LABOR DAY!!

the only ones making a decent living is the college graduates, and the workers that don't have a degree, has to teach them the job, if they deserve all this big salary, they know the job, not expect the hard working employees to teach hoe to be there bosses.

Oh you got jokes, I can tell you have never been outside your trailer park, much less to the bronx, I have worked in $20,000,000.00 castles in the bronx and the average rent for a 1 bedroom or a studio is 800.00 to 1000.00 a month for a cheap apartment. I am a white boy, born and raised in the usa and my family has been here for centuries, and I can walk through any neighborhood in the bronx without a problem you ignorant piece of shit. Tell me does your shit still have the wheels on it? A little education for you(since you are obviously not educated)- any place with a big population is going to have more crime than some small town, but if you look how we help each other after a tragic event you can clearly see there is a lot of good people here. Thats your problem Philip- your stuck in the 1983 smoking your crack and bangin your head- and thats why you dont know shit and some illegal guy has your dead end job now.

these low wage workers must be working for the jew scum that runs most businesses in the u.s., we should deport all the communist jews from from america !!!!

Anyone who thinks that the prez is for the regular guy they are ill informed. We have lost 3 million jobs since he came into office. Where is he today? He flew on our dime to go have a cookout speech with his buddies the afl-cio. The unions suck the life out of every industry they touch. When they are done and can get no more they get the gov't to help them expand into other industry or they get into more areas of gov't. The unions and gov't are joined at the hip and neither give a damn about the regular person who is just trying to live a decent life.

What bronx boy this guy phillip couldn't comment on what you actually said so he had to make fun of your town? What a prick. I am from alabama- not tellin where cuz i dont wanna waste bullits on peeps like phillip but I also live in a trailer park. There is a lot of his kind in places like this- don't sweat it we ain't all like that. If he lived there he'd probly 'SUMMER ON FIRE ISLAND" if ya know wat i mean. But I totally agree with you on the immigration issue, who deciced where the borders should be anyway. A lot of the central and south americans have a lot of native american blood running through their veins and we live on land that our ancestors murdered and robbed their ancestors to get, so wtf phillip

Anyone who thinks that the prez is for the regular guy they are ill informed. We have lost 3 million jobs since he came into office. Where is he today? He flew on our dime to go have a cookout speech with his buddies the afl-cio. The unions suck the life out of every industry they touch. When they are done and can get no more they get the gov't to help them expand into other industry or they get into more areas of gov't. The unions and gov't are joined at the hip and neither give a damn about the regular person who is just trying to live a decent life.

Wow. Okay, this is why people need to go to school and get an education. You people need to stop whining. Yes you may have to have a sucky job where you're mistreated, but that's why you go to school and get educated for a better job. If it was all meant to be so easy and fair, what would be the point of bettering yourself? I'm currently a single mom working and going to school. No, its not easy. If you don't have the sense to look for a legit job, and discuss your wages to a T with your employer, than you should expect to be walked all over.
Yeah, you want the company to give you more money, but increasing wages to every employee adds up, and so they must raise the price of their product. Everything costs money.. If you're not satisfied with your wages, go get a new job.

Lets face it, Banking conglomerations and Big Business have bought and paid for our Politicians and now are working on buying the Judicial system. The small guys get screwed because they don't have the MONEY to fight the big guys. If you can control the money you can control the World. We The People is becoming We The Corporations and Bankers.

Also, EVERYONE can go to college. I can't believe I saw someone argue that not everyone can go because of medical issues or mental disabilities. I have seen several mental disabled people at my local community college. Don't have enough money? Hello! Financial aid, grants, scholarships. The government has several grants for single mothers, and all types of people. The problem is everyone expects things to be easy and wants things handed to them. Freakin' do some research!

I am a seminole from near the kissimee, and I dont completely agree with big johnson. I'm not related to any mexicans!! It is true tho before the white man came we didn't really have borders. We fished and hunted and grew stuff, some of we ate and some of it we smoked but if you were from somewhere else and you wanted to work and live among us we didnt mind

This is the new USA ..a coporate facist environment where workers get blamed for high costs and corporate greed is rewarded. The only thing that ever helped the workers and this country get strong was unionism. The capitalists call it communism.

Try working 35 hours a week at $8.00 an hour, trading your regular day off for holidays that fall during your scheduled work week. and no health insurance! That's what I'm dealing with! I'm sorry, but I really don't have any sympathy for some one who makes $3.00 plus an hour more than I do and can't even speak English!

I wonder how many of the unemployed union guys in Detroit are happy they supported the union. The unions have done this to the steel industry, coal, and even the gov't of California. I am mostly Cherokee and I hate to disagree with swamptree but different tribes did there fair share of fighting before the Europeans ever got here. Personally I do fine and have worked since I was 17. I believe that unless we change most of those currently in DC we will not see "we the people" for very much longer. Gov't needs to get out of private industry and private lives to the greatest degree possible.

I wonder how many of the unemployed union guys in Detroit are happy they supported the union. The unions have done this to the steel industry, coal, and even the gov't of California. I am mostly Cherokee and I hate to disagree with swamptree but different tribes did there fair share of fighting before the Europeans ever got here. Personally I do fine and have worked since I was 17. I believe that unless we change most of those currently in DC we will not see "we the people" for very much longer. Gov't needs to get out of private industry and private lives to the greatest degree possible.

I can see having one kid, oopsie. But having more than one when you can't afford it only makes you an idiot. Man or woman.

I can see having one kid, oopsie. But having more than one when you can't afford it only makes you an idiot. Man or woman.

For all of these, go to college get a degree people on here. You should rethink your statements, A huge reason why we are in this mess is because there are too few jobs and too many people in debt because of college loans, etc.

The younger generation of people, are the spenders in this country. We keep the economy moving because our liabilities are small, but now that our uneducated parents and advisers send us off to school at a young age, we are screwed from the get go. We are told that we will graduate and make a decent living. Then we get out in the job market and we have to fight to keep a $10/hr job.

This is all a scheme, yes some people can go far with a degree, but for most it will never pay off.

I am optimistic though, because I have alot of skills.

Try living on a $650 a month disability check. I am in school and had to get a dr's note to get student loans & try to get off disability. The biggest reason is I would take a low paying job that has good medical and other benefits. No one is accepting my Medicare and Medicaid. All I get is home care and a advance directive. I hope I can get a job with my masters because I am going in debt $1000 a month while in graduate school. It is called working and going to school while disabled or living with a chronic illness. I have a civil right to try to work even if I fail and even though no one excepts me to be able to sustain work.

My husband a Native American Indigenous tribal member couldn't get a job because he was told they only hire nationals. He is treated like a refugee in his own country. The rez has more crime than the big city even though it is out. We are talking 65% unemployment, 80% unpaved roads, missing utilities and very substandard housing.

America is rich because of slavery and land theft. Now the minimum and less workers are the new slaves. I don't blame immigrants but the employers and that is who we should go after. CEO's are richer than they ever been.

Once you pass 50 or acquire a chronic illness or disability you will probably be fighting those kids for minimum wage jobs even with a college education.Some true ignorance showing on this thread. I live in an area that barely has any Jewish people. I live in NM.there is allot of poverty and corruption wherever people are struggling to survive. When times are hard some people step up but others step down. Be careful when you meet them or you will be stepped on instead of helped up.

There is only one race human. We are all related. There is enough on the planet for everyone. It is true greed that allows a system and world to deprive people who have so little when others have so much, leaving us to fight each other for the scraps of the overlords.Keeping people divided keeps us down. There are probably a few Natives left that wish all descendants and immigrants would go home & that the buffalo & endangered species other than humans returns.In America if we keep stealing and fighting each other instead of figuring out how to come together and have a revolution America is going to keep falling down and so will your way of life. If we keep bankrupting our selves with this war the whole country will become like the reservation. All I can say having lived there is good luck with that.No jobs, hauling wood and water on mud roads and next to no local shopping.Bronx boy needs to return to the land of his ancestors.

Back Slack makes a lot of great points. The reservations are pathetic. The treaty's that were made were not kept. Indian Health Services is a joke. Don't get sick after June. The best point is that we need to peacefully raise up. The more those in DC keep us divided the less we will ever have. I think it was Ben Franklin that said those willing to trade a little liberty for a little security deserve neither and will lose both. More and bigger gov't is not the answer, as Reagan said, Gov't IS the Problem.

I worked at Walmart when I switched schools, I needed money to help me through college. Tuition, books, supplies - none of it is cheap, especially when you are going for multiple degrees. I kept track of my pay, and after a few months I noticed I was getting less than I was supposed to. Once it reached $80-$100 off my paycheck I approached management about it, and they told me I was imagining it and did the math in front of me. They actually came up, on the calculator themselves, that they were shorting me. Flustered they subtracted the additional money and said "See? You got the right amount." I asked where it was going, since taxes had already been taken out. After being told I didn't need to know what it was being taken for, I quit.

reply to Alur:

Goodwill does the same think. pay mimimum wages on economy.

Krystin, Wal Mart has a lot of legal issues for wage and hour violations. I have two suits in court against big businesses. One with a private law firm and one with the Dept. of Labor. More people need to do this until it becomes less expensive to pay people correctly than it is to rip them off. Know this though, it is a difficult task to undertake and you will most likely not get a great deal of money out of it.

americas slavery work for wally world four years and now 10.25 hour midnights,,,

yo back slack, where you want me to go? The land of my ancestors, which ones the ones who lived in america for 4 centuries or should I cut myself in little pieces and send it to all the different places I came from down the line. Well i guess some of me could stay behind, because my grampa was a mixed breed souix and dutch. Oh wait you said we are all one race- then why you want me to leave. I pay plenty to live here in taxes and whatnot- probably enough to cover your medicaid and disability and other welfare. Maybe you should move somewhere like the bronx- they have a lot of benefits for people like you wid problems at my expense-don't get me wrong I don't mind helping out with my hard earned dollars but you should stop complaining about what you don't have and come to appreciate what you do- why- i didn't take any land from anyone despite what my ancestors may have done. Oh and your husband i believe is eligible to recieve a substantial amount of $$$$and get a job in a casino if he can prove He's 1/8 native american. I mean shit you got a computer and an internet connection it can't be that bad you should learn to appreciate life more instead of complaining so much

Goodwill make millions on donations and do not pay their employees only $7.25/hour. Aa far as management goes Goodwill make sure that the let go them every 2-3 months so that they do not have to pay bonuses.

My son has been working at minimum wage for over 4 months and has yet to be paid for all the hours he has worked. He is working 80 hours every two weeks and gets paid for 53 hours for the same two week period. So if he says anything, he will be fired. His manager has no vehicle, cannot get a drivers license (due to DUI conviction) an dmy son is "asked" to pick him up on his way to work. Their work hours are almost the same, but my son does not get paid for the hours worked. He is also required to move between stores and has to pay for gas/mileage with no offset. When he does that he has to drive 10 miles out of his way to pick up the manager on his way to work.

America was established through oppression and cheap labor. Cheating the lower working class and minorities is the American way. This country needs to stop all the scapegoating and pick up a history book, Guarding the Golden Door by Roger Daniels is an educating read. Any person that reads that book will no longer be an ignorant person.

I am a white female living in a rural area. I got a job in the closet town to where I live at Rameys grocery store. As a cashier if my drawer was short any amount of money I had to pay it back out of my own pocket. This was of course kept track of in the office and settled up on payday When I contacted the wage and labor board in St Louis, Mo I was told that anytime you are do that and it brings you below minumum wage it is against the law. I was also told that because it is a small town if I make waves I will not be able to get a job anyplace in that town ever. What is a person supposed to do. rural people have no rights with big business.

It makes no cents for these multi Billion dollar companies to ignore their low wage employess which is thier backbone to its business empire.

Solution
Substancial profit sharing to low wage workers = many happy customers to its business and its trickle down affect to host of companies abroad yeilding a strong stable economy.

Ignore this solution
not enough money spread to the main engine of its company and its own business faces trouble surviving on a weak economy.

Don't blame the businesses or illegal immigrants. Bottom line its the government, shit if they just drop prices(or whatever they do)on everything it may... well it will create more jobs plus fix the economy because people will have money to spend. Damn it may fix some peoples households also... what do you think???

Mista, while there is plenty of blame to go around you are correct about the government. Reagan said it best. While talking about government he said, We don't have trillion dollar deficits because we don't tax enough, we have them because we spend too much. Reduce spending, cut taxes, and let the people keep more of their own money that they earned in the first place. Even if you are one of the 60% of the population that does not pay an income tax you still pay social security, medicare, gasoline, and a myriad of other taxes, as well as pay more for nearly every product and service due to corporate taxes. Now some are ready to add yet another unfunded soon to be bankrupt entitlement, called government healthcare, and we will all pay even more in taxes.

My husband was illegal before we were married, but it is my american born daughter who just graduated high school that is being taken advantage of. The fast food joints that hire these kids want to pay under-the-table, telling them that way they can avoid paying the tax man. But they are only making minimum wage and working part time, barely making enough to pay taxes. So what the employer is really doing is jipping them out of thier unemployment, health and social security benefits, and if anyone calls corporate to verify employment or past employment - they are not on the books. If the employer harasses them in any other way, or pays less than minimum wage, they have no leg to stand on to report it.
Even if they are "on the books", once you file a complaint against your employer there is a record of it. Despite any laws to the contrary, the employer you filed against will find a reason to fire you. Any potential future employer will not want to touch you, they will see you as a potential problem.
A poor ecomony is not an excuse for an employer to act without integrity. A successfuly company recognizes the importance of employee loyalty and will help build its staff instead of oppress them. Employers who hire illegals are often doing so with the INTENT to take advantage, and therefore are of no benefit to the "undocumented worker".

The "Study" is questionable but you people have confirmed that corporations need to be taught a lesson, maybe if we socialize every one of them they will join the ranks of the oppressed. Why not extend it to them? Legal illegal "educated" or not just how intelligent do you have to be to know that they are thieves corp.,small business, politicians! Ever see one in line for food stamps?

Right Wing: You are a jacka$$, just like the rest of the neo-nazi Republicans.

Maybe when YOU lose YOUR job and house, and have to work some menial job, maybe then you will have compassion for those less fortunate than you.

Go listen to Limbaugh and O'Reilly some more, it's so much easier than thinking for youself. Jacka$$.

How about we take our country back. How about we get back to being a representative democracy and get the long-termers out of DC. Initiate term limits in the House and Senate. Quit letting them spend so long in DC that they no longer know what it is like to be a normal American. Tell them that none of them are the Queen of England...if they do not represent us they WILL lose their jobs.

Business wants us to believe if they actually pay a living wage, they will have to close the doors. I am confident that if we, the people, demand living wages for everyone, the really intelligent people who have sold us this bill of goods will figure out how to keep making money. In addition, when did being ultra-wealthy while the least of us, who struggle with decisions between heat or food, become a right? If all men (and women) are truly created equal, then why are we not free to live lives free from debt and worry? To say that people are poor because they are lazy and/or uneducated is oversimplification and a regurgitation of what the wealthy wish the working class to believe. And we believe it because they are wealthy and we equate wealth with validation.

If One Looks at ALL factors and figures the area of the country they live in. Oweing debt Left by an X-wife how sure know how to spend Money but Not make it. Your a smart Person Figure it out!.

That guy "right wing" is most likely a left wing guy just trying to get a rise out of some people. He may be a far right wing nut, who knows. Either way he is not worth reading much less commenting on. As for the wealthy, since when is it a crime, that should be punished, for working hard, getting ahead in life, and giving others the job they have? Taking from the ones who "make it" to give to those, many of whom that I know personally, never try to "make it" is a ridiculous concept.

1.) People *must* have a social security number in order to get any work, so unless they are paid under the table, they *are* paying taxes, whether they are illegal immigrants or not. Also, anyone who buys anything is also paying a sales tax, used for public expenses.
2.) I worked at several fast-food places, a movie theater, and as a waitress at a Federal club almost 40 years ago, and the same practices of not paying for overtime (the fast food place), paying far below minimum wage (Federal Officer's Club)and deducting for expenses (a non-option deduction for a retired home for people in the movie business, meaning actors, etc, not those who worked in theaters from the theater)and deductions for food prior to serving, whether you wanted that food or not or actually ate any of that food (Federal Officer's Club) were routine. Like so many of you, the small town I worked in had so few jobs, I was too concerned about losing what I had to complain.
Now that *we* know there are so many of us, its time to band together!
And as for that person who says he earns an "average salary" of $50K a year---HAHAHAHAHA! The median US income is in the mid-thirties. All of us should be so lucky to earn that much, and I'm now a university graduate with over 20 years experience in my field.

New York is on of the most over regulated labor markets in the world. As an employer I know that government agencies are continually looking over your shoulder

I wish the New York Times would look into government abuse of business through over regulation, oh that's right, liberal arts majors don't understand business, other than its evil.

This country I served for over 25 years would lock me up for owing the IRS ten bucks but see's no problem with illegal workers and is trying to give them social security. Anyone see a problem here

Christian morals and legitimate profits are the only incentive for a business owner to be fair and operate legally. Thinking people realize that the possible trade-off of legal battles over cheating workers out of earned money is not a sustainable business model. As long as unscrupulous bosses think only short-term ( and as long as there are sinful humans running things on earth at Satan's urging...)there will be discord. The illegals put themselves at risk for abuse when they enter this country under the radar. Should have thought about that before sneaking over here, I think. And for people who make little money and yet have many children, where is the rationale for my feeding them if not for Christian charity? By systematically eradicating Christ from society liberals have caused far more problems than their perceived evils of a so-called church+state had presented in the previous 150+ years. Business and profit are not evil, people can be.

Ibelieve because the way the economy is going , employers are taking advantage. Workers out there are a dime a dozen. They are brutes

As soon as white right wingers hear the word minority, they assume one is discussing "illegal aliens" a significznt group that is responsible for increasing the U.S. population at a very accellerated pace. The increased numbers boither white people significantly such that they seem to see or sense an "undocumented individual" behind every house being built or tree being harvested. But to be factual, minorities and economically disadvantaged whites all suffer labor abuse in the form that they are paid for their hard work. Why? Because they do not know their labor rights to be able to fend for themselves and unscrupulous employers take advantage with impunity. THIS LABOR DAY, LET US REMEMBER THOSE POOR WORKERS AND FEEL THEIR PLIGHT, because when this site is gone tomorrow, none of us is going to do anything about it anyway!

As soon as white right wingers hear the word minority, they assume one is discussing "illegal aliens" a significznt group that is responsible for increasing the U.S. population at a very accellerated pace. The increased numbers boither white people significantly such that they seem to see or sense an "undocumented individual" behind every house being built or tree being harvested. But to be factual, minorities and economically disadvantaged whites all suffer labor abuse in the form that they are paid for their hard work. Why? Because they do not know their labor rights to be able to fend for themselves and unscrupulous employers take advantage with impunity. THIS LABOR DAY, LET US REMEMBER THOSE POOR WORKERS AND FEEL THEIR PLIGHT, because when this site is gone tomorrow, none of us is going to do anything about it anyway!

The love of money is the root of all evil. That's a phrase we all forget too often!

As far as illegal immigrants, people with visas, foreign students, etc., no sympathy. You butt smears are one of the main reasons real Americans can not get real wages. As far as people on disability...at best, they make $1800 a month. If you stop being a jerk, and start doing real math for activities of daily living, hell, not even a decent retirement home will take them. Some people on disability do "break their backs" to make a few extra dollars as they have no choice, and I do consider people on social security in this same group. I think it is a shame anyone should look down on them, so screw you aholes...you just don't know..yet, haha...don't you dare come crying after this stunt, either...we know who you are now. Point is, exploitation of honest American hard workers is flat wrong. Laugh all you want! Just be happy it isn't you...yet. Screw all of you!

Yes, Illegal immigrants are a problem, but let us not do to them what the Nazi's did to the the Jews and make them the scapegoat for all our ills.
I live in L.A., where the majority of the popluation is now illegal immigrants and thier "anchor babies" and grandchildren. (I am a citizen, my parents immigrated legally from England before I was born) It is getting harder and harder for the undocumented worker to find a job. In part because of the economy, but also because of ICE crackdowns. When the government holds employers responsible and gives fines to those who employ illegals, less companies will hire them. When there are no jobs, many will go home or go to wherever the jobs are.
Not offering welfare benefits to illegals will also help.
Unfortunatly, buisness that were willing to take advantage of illegals will still be willing to do so to citizens and legal immigrants. Going to trade school or college is not enough to guarantee you will not be cheated. Salaried employees are often forced to work well over 40 hours on a regular basis but not compensated.
College graduates are taking minimum wage jobs because that is all that is available. We can see from the posts here and the article how many ways there are of cheating.
US buisness need to hire legally, in the US, and treat them fairly. Otherwise the class seperation will continue to grow. America will not longer be the great melting pot but will be only the elite and the destitute.

ONE OF THE COMPANYS OUT THERE YOU SHOULD LOOK AT SEARS AUTOMOTIVE. THEY AUTOMOTIVE ASSOCIATE PAY RATE IS AT $5.75????THAT'S WRONG!!!!SOMEONE NEEDS TO INVESTIGATE THAT.

True be told, that a lack of education does play a big role to these stories, however, for those that do have an education it offsets the educated vs uneducated...

and the disability check while working is an offset type deal, in order to be able to make ends meet..

The problem with low wages is a simple one. The more people that are available to work (This includes the lowest labor to the PhDs) the lower the wages will be and the poorer the treatment of the employees will be. We need new laws to restrict the abuses of workers that stem from the negative aspects of our human nature. This doesnt mean a universal wage as your pay should be based on what you have to offer. As a good example of what is happening I refer to the short story "Anamal Farm". Any human endevor is subject to abuse of power. And ending on CEO wages, KILL THE GODDAMN BASTARDS!!

Not once did I hear any of them say they were looking for a second job, a better job or going to school. Minimum wage is a crock those jobs are for 16 year olds. The wage is right on. For the two dudes grab a shovel on a construction crew and you will make $12 an hour and up plus overtime. Can't get any pity from me I was there but I worked my arse of to better myself.

1.) Americans will do any job with fair living wages and not slave wages.

2.) The United States Government and the Big Corporations opened the southern borders for one reason and one reason only and that is for this companies to save hundreds of billions of dollars for profit in their wallet and to corrupt the US Government in kickbacks and monnopoly.

3.) Give us the right amount of wages for the kind of job and we will work circle on any other nationality in this planet. We are Americans and we are proud with our heads high as long as we are treated correctly and with dignity by our own Government we will continue our sacrificed and be responsible for our country. Americans are good hard working people.

4.) Always remind yourself about Capitalism the bad will always outwieght the good.

5.) Please Stop finger pointing on our fellow immigrants we are all immigrants in this great country, the majority of immigrants legal or not are good hardworking human beings so please give them the respect that they diserved and don't include them with the few bad apples that came along.

It's appalling - employers should not cheat employees out of wages, regardless of other circumstances or the employees status. People who work should be paid at least what the law requires, and the rate the employer agreed to pay. It's also appalling that some individuals posting comments are so bigoted and narrow minded that they'd attempt to rationalize theft by employers.

Iam one of the educated. For several years now my salary has been at or above $50,000.00. Prior to school I struggled just as the subjects the this video. I thought after I recieved my education and started earning so much, that I had escaped that stuggling way of life. However, I was laid off almost a year ago. Now may I live off of $774.00 every two weeks. I have not been able to find a job that would pay at or above that rate. Therefore I who used to earn $50,000.00 am once again just like the subjects in this video. I'm scared. I'm regressing. Things need to change. I will work for the change. I need the change. I'm not lazy. Help!

If people stopped accepting minimum labor wages, and we all collectively held out, the employers would be forced to pay a living wage whether they liked it or not, it would be a tough few months but it would be better for everyone in the long run...
and don't let anyone kid you, the only time you should pay a Union is if they can get you over $16 per hour, other wise they are just taking advantage of you the same as the employers,
just say no to any job under 10.00 per hour

IMO this country doesn't have enough jobs as it is, and more and more people educated and not are having a horrible time finding work. We need to close are borders, and get the illegals deported to their home country. No more Visa's. I've worked for a company that employees mostly staff from other countries here on Visa's. They provide them with housing, and guarenteed 40 hours a week. Local Americans who work for them can not get housing, nor are they guaranteed their hours. They do this because labor costs are cheaper for them. If they were forced to hire just Americans they'd have to pay a higher wage, social security, etc, that they don't have to pay the immigrants. Then the immigrants take they're Money they earned back to their own country and spend it there, not here. More of out money lost.

I live in Northern Michigan where the unemployment rate is at least 25% right now, and its summer, soon it will be much worse. There are 75 applicants for every job opening. People are driving hour long commutes to work. I have almost 20 years experience in retail & restaurants. Over 5 years of that is Store Managment expereince. But that ment nothing to my employer when I was hired last year. Which is Walgreens by the way. So those of you who believe they're a reputable company, think again. They are close to as bad as these people in the story. They may pay people what they are owed, they pay over time, and do have a few small benefits. But they are taking advantage of the depressed economy just like these "bad guys". I was offered $7.50 an hour. After the Store Manager boasted about the company being #42 on the Forbes 100. When I brought up my experience he said that the position offered that pay rate, and there were many applicants. Companies, even the most successful take advantage of other peoples hardships. Most will pay the least amount possible to make themselves richer. Then brag in company news letters how they were able to buy out another company with 30 drug stores, with CASH! They say they offer medical benefits, but at this pay rate most can't afford to get them, and they count on that. People tell me that I am lucky to have a job. Which when I look around, it is true. But it doesn't feel so lucky when I'm constantly fighting off shut off notices and trying to pick which meal I'm going to skip that day because I can't afford to eat. I drink nothing but water from the tap.

To wrap it up.....There are many many Americans dealing with hardships in this country. We need to worry about our own first. They deserve your compassion and worry. Our people would be in better positions if there weren't others taking up our jobs, sending our money to other countries. If they weren't here these companies would be forced to hire Americans, and follow the laws, pay the taxes, or go out of business. If there were more jobs available, companies like Walgreens wouldn't be able to look at their employees like they're a dime a dozen. There wouldn't be very many applicants sticking around once they learn they will only pay you minimum wage regradless of experience.

Even when the economy is strong, the rich want to be richer, and most don't care who they have to walk on to get there.

I'm a Native American who worked for a company in South Dakota for 11 years. And one day i got a check for 3 dollars an hour,...i said what is this? First Dakota enterprises told me "this is all you f%#^ing Indains are worth if you don't like it you can go back to your F$$%ing reservation and stay there!! I tried to collect my money by going to the board of labor here in South Dakota but nothing happened. I was told "what do you want us to do about it" I said i am owed money i would like to have you collect for me!! to this day nothing has happened, and because of this the comapny First Dakota Enterprises 1099d me. So now i'm fighting with the IRS for supposedly owed back taxes. To all you people out there in the world that think that there is no racism or prejudice, welcome to my world. South Dakota is the worst state in the Union on this. Did i try to take this to an attorney? you bet, and they said to go away, beside you already live off the government all ready don't you? Just so the world know's we of Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe DO NOT HAVE A CASINO OR ANY OTHER REVENUE COMING IN so if we want to get ahead we have to work just like you and yes we pay TAXES. I also now of a Native that had all his livestock stole, appox 250,000 dollars worth, and he took this to the proper authorites Sheriff, FBI, D.C.I., and States Attorney and they did nothing. They all told him to go away!! This man even went to his senators John Thune, and Stephanie Herseth Sandlin And Tim Johnson which they told him "WE DON'T INFORCE CRIMINAL LAW, AND THIS MAN SAID BUT YOU HELP WRITE THEM DON'T YOU? YES BUT,.....AND THEY TOLD HIM TO ALSO GO AWAY. This man has all the documents including forged documents that they the criminals used to steal and sell his livestock. This should be an open and shut case, but it isn't, because this man is a Indain or Native. Whatever you want to call him he still is a U.S. born citizen!!.So there should be more laws for all the workers out there and there should be a revolving PRIVATE COMMITTIEE {all made out of workers and some lawyers}, that patrol and looks after these so called agencies sworn to protect our so called rights!! Then see what happens especially if they are put out in the soup lines or there jobs are in jeopardy.

I would like to say "it takes a village to raise a child." Anyone of these individulas could have been one of us who made a negative comment. Just think about if you were one of those people ? How would you have felt to be in there shoes? I recently graduate college with a teaching degree and cannot find a job. More importantly i am working 2 part-time job to make end meet. I took jobs i am not proud of but i need to pay my bills what other options do i have to but to take jobs that a beneath me. Remember we are in a recession and we have to adapt. And yes both jobs I have the companies do take full advantage of me, becuase they are aware i depend on that money to pay my bills. Ps just take a moment and count your blessing, and do not judge a person based on the jobs they took, because a person job does not in any way reflect their inability to do better in life.

ALL,
I am one of thee greedy business owners that some of you alude to. I worked 70+ hour weeks for years without earning as much as my employees.

The government now takes over 50% of what I earn to redistribute to those who think that they are entitled to what I have worked a lifetime to build.

Folks if you keep wanting someone else to pay your way you will always be poor and needy. You steal the money that people like me work a lifetime to earn through the point of a gun called the IRS and you still feel sorry for yourselves and others like you.

I resent your entitlement attitude and am very close to just shutting down the business leaving my employees without a job and retiring; keeping less than 50% isn't worth the risk and 70 hour weeks!!!!!

ALL,
I am one of thee greedy business owners that some of you alude to. I worked 70+ hour weeks for years without earning as much as my employees.

The government now takes over 50% of what I earn to redistribute to those who think that they are entitled to what I have worked a lifetime to build.

Folks if you keep wanting someone else to pay your way you will always be poor and needy. You steal the money that people like me work a lifetime to earn through the point of a gun called the IRS and you still feel sorry for yourselves and others like you.

I resent your entitlement attitude and am very close to just shutting down the business leaving my employees without a job and retiring; keeping less than 50% isn't worth the risk and 70 the hour weeks!!!!!

really, unclocked hours are the only way you can advance in the workforce nowadays. i would have been pissed about it, except my supervisors had just as many if not more unclocked hours than me. its just the way shit goes, if you dont like it get an education.

ALL,
I am one of thee greedy business owners that some of you alude to. I worked 70+ hour weeks for years without earning as much as my employees.

The government now takes over 50% of what I earn to redistribute to those who think that they are entitled to what I have worked a lifetime to build.

Folks if you keep wanting someone else to pay your way you will always be poor and needy. You steal the money that people like me work a lifetime to earn through the point of a gun called the IRS and you still feel sorry for yourselves and others like you.

I resent your entitlement attitude and am very close to just shutting down the business leaving my employees without a job and retiring; keeping less than 50% isn't worth the risk and 70 the hour weeks!!!!!

I heard a comment from a supervisor of a scafolding company that was invitied to the owners party at thier lavish house. The owner said "I cant believe I have to pay one of the foreman $40,000 a year" not taking into account he worked 12 hr. days 6 days a week.
I've had my fill of bosses and crustemers that expect the earh,wind,wind ,moon and stars that pay you nothing for your hard work.Respect goes both ways.

This is not uncommon. Even big companies cheat regular employees. Many companies bring employees from outside and cheat them, force them to work extra hours without paying anything, The pay rate for those extra hours are more, but they got it free. Example : Amdocs Inc.

If you are working 70 hours to take care of your employees or business then you either love what you do or you need to go out of business. Until the real greedy!!! We are talking about the financial institutes that keep stealing from us. You know like Sprint!!! who steals off their customers with roaming fees when you don't even roam. Like all the late fees created by changing the due dates to cause a late fee. An so many other examples I'm sure other people can give. You know who you greedy upselling pigs are oink oink!! Then maybe the small business employer who wants to take care of their employees would be capable.

What does going to college have to do with being cheated out of your pay. If you make a contract you should honor your contract. Stop making excuses for stealing off of workers. Their are so many ways companies steal from their employees. Exemption pay, Piece work, Commission based salaries. You know who you are. You know how you do it. We know you don't care and we can't do anything about it. So we don't like you and we won't recommend you to the big guy when we depart. So there.

I was born and raised here in USA, I am now 53 and would like to look forward to retirement but things have been getting worst and worst with the jobs and trying to keep up with the cost of living!
I work in retail and see people losing their jobs and homes all the time. Its not right whats happening to our people.
I have worked all my life and so has my husband and still struggling, trying to make ends meet. We both finished school and raised 3 children, one still at home.
We will never be able to retire because of the amount of money we earn and the bills we need to try to meet and mind you we have no credit cards!
Its not like it was with our parents when they retired, its harder, much harder.
I would love to go to college but cant afford it.
As far as work, almost everyone in the area hires part time workers except factories and Im getting to the point at my age where I just cant do that kind of work anymore. By the way my husband has been working in a factory for 35 years now.
If we could be given the chance to work 40 hours a week and everyone make 10 dollars or more an hour, we might just get ahead to the point where your not worrying about shut off notices.
At my age jobs are harder to come by, no one wants to hire old people.
My husband started a food pantry with the help of two other people and feeds between 250 to 400 families each month, and doesnt get a dime, its a non profit org.
They do fund raisers and get donations to keep the trucks rolling in.
We know how hard it is because we to are going through it!
I dont think its going to get better, in fact I think its going to get a whole lot worst!!!!
Something is in motion, Im not really sure what,
but my gut tells me if people dont start making a stand for their rights, we are going to lose not only our rights but everything that we own and love dearly!!!!!!!
Please people wake up and open your eyes before its to late!!!!!!!!!

Denise from Michigan

Does anyone out there posting their gripes have even a clue as to proper spelling or grammar?
Who are the illiterates? Illegal immigrants or those who were born and raised in the USA and educated in our public schools.
No one has anything to say about being screwed by anyone if they screwed themselves by sleeping through 12yrs. of school.
I believe taking a nap for tweleve yrs. and texting shorthand will take it's toll sooner than most think.
People complain that someone doesn't know nor speak English... Though most of those who complain don't know how to spell in the language.

We allowed laws to keep people down. Unions are not the oly answer, but are a good start. Most wages got a start from Union Scale, but Unions have failed their members. They also have the high paying CEO's called Union Presidents. They have not kept up with the times and fail almost as bad as the government in protecting workers rights. All to often companies are allowed to skirt the laws with claddifications like commission employee, waitress. Minimum wage should apply to all and if tips or commissions are paid then that would add to minimum wage. Pealing potatoes is just as hard a job as waiting tables and commission is just another way to say work for free unless you sell something. Contract employees are also on the low end of wages, like newspaper cariers. Lets do the right thing and everyone employeed need to make at least minimum wage from the employer not for tips, piece work, contract work or such. No matter sex, race, but illigal persons in this country should not be employeed and employers should face the punishment

We should all quit working for and paying for corporate America and employee our own self. Trade for goods and services.

Dear minimum wage worker, I really think you ought to re-evaluate your thinking when you say "unclocked hours are the only way you can advance in the workforce nowadays." My boss is of that same mindset as well. Mostly because he's always late. However, are those "unclocked hours" going to put gas in your car or the cost of a bus ticket in your wallet to get to work? The problem of "unclocked hours" is that it is time you've given to a company, WITHOUT being compensated for your time and effort, that you're never going to get back. I don't know your story, but I can't help but wonder what you do for a living, what company's you have worked for, or what you've been through that compels you to believe that "unclocked hours are really the only way to advance nowadays." Come on, you're better than that.

This would have been a good heart-felt video if it were not so contrived. It was obvious to me that many of thos "INTERVIEWED" were following a script...The authors of this video should have sought out "REAL" people instead of hired hands....

This would have been a good heart-felt video if it were not so contrived. It was obvious to me that many of thos "INTERVIEWED" were following a script...The authors of this video should have sought out "REAL" people instead of hired hands....

What about unpaid child labor in the US? It is still alive and well in the dairy industry. Got milk?

Its time we American's get some dirt under our
fingernails by working and keep our minds free from dirt .

I love when people mention how many kids they have, like it's our fought you had them. Kids are very, very, very expensive. You people should have thought about that prior to having kids. No one dropped them off on your porch and said here take care of them. If you can't afford them don't have them. It is a privilege to have kids not a right.

"hardest working lowest paid workers"...no the hardest working people are tradesworkers and they make good moeny - being a cashier at a gas staion does not make you "hard working" - go to school!

People are in charge of them selves. Go out & find something that you enjoy doing & become the best at it. Stop crying about it & do it. This is the U.S.A. you are free to do what ever you want. I don’t feel sorry for any body because everybody has the same opportunities. I am a successful six figure executive chef who has worked hard every day of my life to get here. No body helped me, nobody paid my way, but I always had a will to succeed & I would not let anybody tell me different.
As for unions well they are one of the worst things that can happen to any company. A union is a business that gets its profits from its workers. I don’t need anybody to stand up for me. I’m a big boy I can do it my self. Look at all the problems the auto makers are having with stupid unions.

I just read every comment. The Thing that strikes me the most is all the complaining. Personal responsibility. Take care of yourself. If you do not like you job, quit. I have no advanced education and went to public school growing up. I make about 36k a year and live in a 250,000 dollar house. No debt but the house. Once again personal responsibility. There were times I was working 2 and 3 jobs at a time. You do what you have to do, to take care of your family. Stop the complaining.

This insults and unnerves me very much. I work at a McDonald's restaurant, earning minimum wage. I have to put up with demanding paces, questionable business ethics, and vicious bullies for managers. I have recently questioned whether my wage is worth this toil. Now, I need to take a second look at my paycheck and see if they do this?! What is this world coming to?!

I find the amount of prejudice in the response to this article shocking.

It clearly states "among American born workers" before talking about discrimination, and yet most of the fools replying just want to talk about illegals.

It is sad to see there is still so much discrimination in America today. And for those yelling go to college, this is much easier said than done for many poor folks trying to support families on less than minimum wage.

I find the amount of prejudice in the response to this article shocking.

It clearly states "among American born workers" before talking about discrimination, and yet most of the fools replying just want to talk about illegals.

It is sad to see there is still so much discrimination in America today. And for those yelling go to college, this is much easier said than done for many poor folks trying to support families on less than minimum wage.

I worked for StorQuest Self Storage a while back and they were awful when it came to paying overtime. The district manager would tell us to change our time sheets. I refused and was fired. My manager asked for his overtime after I showed him the law on-line and he got fired too. We filed complaints with the eocc and with the unemployment department but the company accused us of theft. I never stole anything. There was never a complaint against me. It was all about the money. The fact I told other workers they were being cheated didn't help. But firing me and the manager shut up the other employees. So you see, even if you enforce your rights against a corporation they still have the money and the power to screw you over.

Everyone is fucking stupid. There is no way around poverty. There will always be poverty and low-wage jobs. We can try to minimize it, but it will always exist. Without the poor, being rich would mean nothing, and if everyone make the same or about the same amount, we would be f***ing communists. And nothing are the illegals faults, s**t, i've worked with over 20 different illigal immigrants, and my girlfriend is one too (don't just assume mexican, like most people already have). They are all just making a better living and doing the shit you won't do. I would bet all the money ill ever earn that even the working poor Americans wouldnt be in the field picking grapes for 13 hours a day, or wash dishes in a restaurant for 10 hours straight.

You do what u gotta do while trying to always move up...

How about we blame the cheating employers? No one seems to care that the true culprit is the employer who disobeys wage & hour laws.

"Go to college, get a better job." College costs money. Textbooks cost money. Rent costs money. Food costs money. Most often it's one or the other. I'd like to know how those professing to those of us in the trenches suggest we pay for college on cheated wages? And please don't quote Financial Aid to me--most government-run education aid programs are for reimbursement...if I had the money in the first place, do you think I would apply for the aid? I'm not talking about illegal aliens, but regular working class Americans--regardless of race or gender--attempting to better themselves.

"Go to college, get a better job." College costs money. Textbooks cost money. Rent costs money. Food costs money. Most often it's one or the other. I'd like to know how those professing to those of us in the trenches suggest we pay for college on cheated wages? And please don't quote Financial Aid to me--most government-run education aid programs are for reimbursement...if I had the money in the first place, do you think I would apply for the aid? I'm not talking about illegal aliens, but regular working class Americans--regardless of race or gender--attempting to better themselves.

There are some ignorant people on here. America is run by a bunch of greedy people who have more money than they know what to do with. Race is a huge issue, people like to take care of their own and since whites run things in America it's just how it is. Blacks are three times more likely to be cheated than whites. I cant tell you how many jobs I have had where white people get paid a lot more than me. And we are talking about some lazy people here. Not all whites are lazy but every Mexican I know can run circles around white people. They do all the work and the white man cashes the big fat check. I know I'm going to get a lot of crap for this but that's ok, the truth hurts. The sick part is that it is the white people who get angry when reports like this get released. It should be the minorities that get angry but the whites don't like hearing that they have it good. They want to believe they work just as hard or even harder because look at all that they have. It is a contradiction when someone works less but gets paid more. People talk about the imbalance of wages between men and women for doing the same job. People don't talk about the imbalance between white Americans and minorities. This country will never change, this is how they stay on top. As far as the illegal aliens being cheated out of money and it not counting just because their illegal. Are their wages not taxed just the same. I know some illegals are paid under the table but they are just trying to make a living. So what you have are a lot of people doing work and pumping money into the economy, but not benefiting the way legal citizens do. Not all but a large number of white Americans are in denial, but that's ok. You cant take your money to hell with you so enjoy it while you can!

We all are children of God, created by him. No matter who you are, you still need air to live, food, clothes to wear, a house to live, a family to raise, the whole world is our home, this is the place created by God for all humans to live. Once somebody said "that all mens are created equal"
"A nations becames a power not because of its power but because of the people."
Education makes a different it will not be easy but everybody has the power to do it.

I have a college degree but a few years back I finally became totally disabled because of an incurable autoimmune disease. First of all, the check is next to nothing. You can work part time to makeup th rest to pay the bills but if I could work I fn would. One of the many problems in this country loans we are forced to sattle ourselves with just to get educated. How can anyone get anywhere when you start out in MAJOR debt just to g to school. Thats why our country cant compete. Most other industrialized nations educated there population for free. Its how they gt ahead. This and profit for healthcare...we'll never survive as a people.wtf

well for the most this is true, someone made a comment on how his girlfreind is illegal and we americans won't work the feild, well mister; you are wrong. We are not givin the opportunity to choose due to the fact that so many companies prey on illegals, until this country takes a stand and imposses sanctions on this type of irregualtions the poor and underprivlaged are exploded due to the fact of over population of such factors. simply put, supply and demand. with the supply of underprivliged people the demand of them working is much cheaper to use than to come too legalization reform to the workers needs and formalities. If the voices of the american born or legals are put forth the laws would have to be heard and conformed too. I too have lived with illegals for over 38 years and have had relitives that were slaves in the day, it was less stressful to work the feilds and just enjoy what we had with littel or nothing, than what I have come to see in these days. Example: if you put horses in a feild, and continue to do so with out selling off, at a rate that is over whelming, what happens to the pasture? Less food, less water, less living space and more illness, anger, and agression. This is why america needs to implement the laws that are implemented and start taking action on the sanctions. Illegal do want a better life, but for a price to be paid. So did in the old days, like a lot of families here in this country that did it legally. we are over populated and this is what should be looked at.

I'm glad there was mention of low-wage rural workers, too. In a way, we're even worse off because there aren't nearly enough employers to begin with in smaller communities. who frequently ignore the law to pay far less than the urban companies do, knowing the workers are too afraid of losing their jobs to complain to the authorities. Although I was an escrow officer and a human resources manager for most of my career, I still could not find a decent paying job once I relocated to AZ and was over 55. Finally, I took early retirement and actually wound up earning more in Social Security benefits than I was making on my last job at a national grocery chain. It is still not enough to do more than get by on, but I'm grateful for it. I fear the future for the next generation when they may not have SS benefits and haven't planned for their retirements. I can only advise anyone, college educated or not, to follow your dreams, rely on your God-given talents, and do the work you would do even if you didn't get paid for it. You may have to work full-time, raise a family, and pursue your dream job on the side, but don't give up. Every one of us is born with a talent, and it may well be that talent that provides income when no one is hiring. So, why wait until you hit retirement age? Do it now, and work on it consistently until something pans out for you. And, hey, if you don't end up making money from it, at least you're building a legacy for your family. When I'm gone, I know my artwork and photography will be enjoyed by my family, and that comforts me. In the meantime, I'm working on getting the copyrights set up and plan to submit most of my work for sale to publishers or directly to the public. Sometimes, you've just got to make your own way in this world. I just wish I had been encouraged to think outside the box from childhood when I already knew exactly what I wanted to do and be. I am starting down that path now. Better late than never.

I have now read all the posts and I am shocked. I guess the shock comes from all cruel remarks that happen to fall a day after labor day. Labor day used to be a day when the laborers themselves were honored with a day off -- not a day of cruelty. I am not a liberal, but I have learned that my opinions are not important enough to voice, if their only intent is to anger others without offering a solution.

like attracts alike.

quality employers attract quality workers.

its EASY to blame another.

good job starts with YOU.

if you want a good job, become better employee.

work on yourself FIRST.

i am a business owner living the american dream i worked for 20 years for other busnesses before starting my own i to was cheated of pay and other benifits by employers now as a business owner i find i am still cheated in the last ten years i have been robbed 3 times of over 35,000.00 i get bad checks that average several thousand a year i have had employees still money 1 about 13000.00 and best of all is a form of leal theft called bankruptsy for around another 12,000.00 employee theft is still the worst and yet i still pay a fair wage for an honest days work but getting an honest days work is hard i am the first to work and the last to leave and if i do leave the lazy bumms will just do nothing this is our great young workforce today if you treat the business you work for like it is your own i think you will find that someday you will be rewarded for it but also realize that there are expensese in business that your employer has to cover and those expenses take away from both their income and yours i no that all i have lost would have been nice to keep but i am still trying to move forward and live on a lot less in this current economic situation and it is not easy for anyone just look forward to better times in the future

Celeste Gladstone & Cruiselink/Intercruises are under investigation.

Would love to hear from any posters.

Intercruises/cruiselink post was hilarious to read, but c'mon give me a break. it's amazing that NO ONE at that company dresses well or is professional...gee, you think someone there has (had) sour grapes? LOL, WTF...I know several people that work for intercruises in the ny office (a couple of them that were actaully maligned in the post) and, besides the penquins--which, I agree, is a bit strange--none of the crap this nutjob--everyone knows who you are--writes is even close to accurate...stick to writing on bathroom walls, crazy...1-800-GETHELP